Chapter Ten
Long Days Work
Brian awoke early next morning and decided he’d let Eli sleep in considering she had a long day ahead of her. After getting dressed, he went up to the hotel restaurant. To his surprise, Kevin was already there sipping away at his coffee.
« Hey Kev » Brian greeted taking the seat across from him.
« Good morning » he responded sleepily taking one last sip « How did you sleep ? »
« Ok I guess... » then realizing what his cousin was implying, laughed « No. No we didn’t »
« What happened then ? »
« She told me that she wasn’t ready for her first time yet »
Kevin’s eyes bulged out « You mean... »
« Yup » Brian exclaimed now looking through the breakfast specials.
**Same Time**
Howie slowly removed his flip flops and placed his white fluffy towel down on one of the chairs. He too had gotten up early that morning, but rather then go meet up with the rest of the fellas, he chose to go for a nice swim.
No one was there yet, so he just started to float around only letting his long curls and perfectly chiseled chest remain at the surface. He stayed there peacefully till he heard some noise coming from the hall. Still staying under, he decided to take a peek at what was going on. Opening his eyes, he saw what seemed to be an angel. Ok, so maybe it was only the light reflecting over the water, but none the less, she was breathtaking. Now running out of oxygene, he emerged from the water gasping for air.
« Are you Ok ? » the blonde, blue eyed beauty asked in a divine voice.
« Yeah » Howie said still in a daze, floating to the rim.
She smiled ‘her teeth are like pearls’ he thought.
« I didn’t mean to startle you » she apologized making her way towards him « I didn’t expect anyone else to be here at this time.»
Howie was mute.
« My name is Dawn » she finally said kneeling in front of him.
« You look kinda familiar » she added.
« Just call me D » Howie said trying hard not to give himself away.
**Back In The Room**
After waking up and not finding Brian anywhere, I got dressed. I put on a gray ¾ skirt, a blue top and black sandals. I got myself a whole new wardrobe before coming. The strangest thing was that I didn’t even have any actual money yet. But everything was being paid for... ‘It must be great to be able to afford everything’ I thought, putting the finishing touches on my mascara and lipstick. Reaching over, I grabbed the phone and dialed home. I missed them so much already and I was dying to tell them about the view I had of the city.
After about 40 minutes, just as I was about to hang up, I heard the door open.
« Gotta go guys, lova ya... behave ! ! ! »
In walked Brian « Oh good, you’re up » he said smiling as he walked towards me.
« Yeah, I’ve been up for a while now. Where were you ?
« Eating » he answered plainly. « If you’re ready, we’d better get going »
Grabbing my bag, I asked Brian if the others were coming along.
« Nope » he said closing the door behind us « We’re going to meet up with JIVE and management for your contract and stuff. The guys will be taking it easy today . »
Waiting for the elevator, I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was Nick.
« Hey » I said reaching out to give him a hug. He looked green and his eyes were all red and puffy.
« Nick, are you sick ? » I asked feeling his forehead.
« You Ok man ? » Brian questioned stepping in the elevator.
Nick leaned against the wall, closing his eyes « I can’t say that I’m feeling too hot, but who cares. Where you guys goin’ ? »
« JIVE »
I suggest he come with us. « It’s better than just moping around all day. And besides, we can get you some medication on the way back. Maybe all you need is some fresh air »
He coughed « Sure »
This time, instead of dodging fans, we snuck out through the back.
**Same Time**
Amanda had spent most of the night passed out in the bathroom. After shooting up, she locked herself in there. Crawling to the sink, she reached up to look at herself in the mirror. She had the worst paste taste in her mouth and couldn’t recall half of what she had taken. She was a mess, and knew it. But she couldn’t tell A.J! It would only break his heart and she cared too much about him to do that.
Passing her long slender fingers through her dark mane, she turned on the faucet and rinsed her face with cold water in a futile attempt to wake herself up. A few moments later, she let herself drop to the floor. Pulling her knees to her face, she began to sob.
**The Other Side**
A.J listened brokenheartedly to Amanda’s sniffling. He'd had his ear glued to the door for over 20 minutes now, trying to figure out what was wrong. He knew now that it was indeed serious, but had no clue how to handle it. After all, he didn’t even know what he was dealing with. As much as it hurt him, he knew that he had to wait for her to confront him with what ever the matter was. And when she did, he’d be there for her.
**Meanwhile**
« Are you serious ? » Howie laughed as Dawn nodded « I can’t believe you did that »
« Neither can I » she giggled « But that’s the craziest thing I’ve ever done. Other then that, I’m a really shy and laid back person.»
Howie grinned. Not only was she beautiful, but charming as well. « That’ fine » he remarked « I’m quite the mellow person myself »
« Oh gosh » she shouted getting up « I’m late for my meeting » she continued pulling on a pair of shorts over her bikini.
« Well it was nice talking to you » Howie said getting up after her all the while hoping she’d never leave.
Pushing the door open, she turned back « Same here » and left.
Grabbing his towel, Howie decided it was time for him to leave as well.
**Later**
When we walked into the office on the 14 Th. floor, I took a deep breath. I mean, these people were willing to sign me up without hearing my voice. I felt obligated to make a good impression.
The secretary asked Brian and Nick to stay in the waiting room.
Before walking in, Brian took me by the arm.
« You’ll do great » he assured flashing me a blinding smile.
I held him tightly « Thanks »
Walking in, I took a seat and we began the meeting. A smiling blonde shook my hand « Hi, I’m Miss. Miller one of JIVE records representatives. I’ve heard so much about you »
I grinned.
« Apparently you’ve got quite a gift. I actually just received your demo a few minutes ago, so if you don’t mind, I’ll pop it in for a listen »
I shrugged « No, go right ahead »
Miss. Miller listened vigilantly. She reminded me a lot of Jane Floyd, only younger, and sweeter.
« Well my dear » she said as the song came to an end « you do have a gift. I think that JIVE won’t have any regrets having you on the label »
I sighed « That’s good »
Miss. Miller hit her head with the palm of her hand laughing « Well I feel silly. I don’t even know your full name »
« Felicity Lawford » I laughed « You don’t need my middle name, do you ? »
Looking me straight in the eye, she asked what it was.
« It’s Angel. I’ve got very meaningful names » I joked.
« Angel ? ! » she exclaimed as though she had reached an epiphany.
« Yes »
« That’s perfect. That’ll be your stage name. It’s perfect! »
I sat on the tip of my chair « It’s corny ! »
« I’ll have to look into it, but it should work out »
I shook my head « People are going to think I’m full of crap. I’m not heaven sent! »
She smacked her desk « That’s a great name. That’s your album title right there! We’ll get started on a song for it... »
After that, I just sat back and shut up. Everything I was saying was turning against me anyway.
**Same Time**
Brian knew Nick was hiding something from him. After all, he was his best friend. They’d share everything. Maybe he just needed a girl.
« Messy Marvin ! » Brian called out on cue as Nick spilled some coffee on his shirt.
« Hmmm » Nick replied not caring.
« When we get back home, I’m dragging you to a party to hook you up »
Nick wasn’t stupid. He knew that this was Brian’s « manly » way of showing he was worried. But he wasn’t desperate either...
« No thanks man . I can do it myself. »
**Later**
After grueling hours at the office with Miss. Miller, I longed to return to the hotel. We had talked about everything, and the hardest part was when I had to bring up the matter of my parents. She had warned me that management would most likely recommend keeping it under raps. « Pity might bring you compassion at first, but in the long run, it’ll only hurt your credibility » she explained. And I agreed. If this was really going to happen, I wouldn’t want to be constantly reminded of the accident nor have my brother and sister harassed.
When I got back to the waiting room, both of the guys were sleeping.
Leaning over Brian, I gently placed my lips on his.
His eyes popped open and he got up « How was it? »
« Umm, Angelic ? ! »
Brian looked at me questionably.
I laughed « I’ll explain later »
Walking over to Nick, I placed my hand over his forehead. He was burning up.
« Brian » I whispered waving him over.
« We’ve gotta bring him back » I nudged Nick softly. His eyes opened and he moaned.
« I feel like crap »
Brian and I helped him up. We took a cab on the way back so that we wouldn't have any problems slipping in through the garage. But before, we had stopped at a 711 to get Nick some soup and Tylenol.
As we stepped out of the elevator, I once again turned to Brian « Maybe you should go back to our room. You look tired, and that increases your odds of catching what ever he has. I’ll stay with him for now, and I’ll be back with you later. »
Brian was a little uneasy about the whole thing, but he knew that he had no reason to be. After all, this was his girlfriend and his bestfriend we were talking about. What could possibly happen?
**A Bit Later**
« I’m fine! You don’t have to take care of me » Nick said after I had practically forced him to lay down.
« Stop trying to be macho» I said. He reminded me so much of when Jason got sick. « The chicken soup is almost ready.» Thank God they had a small heater in the kitchen we could barrow.« Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to tinkle »
Nick watched as Eli made her way out sight. Sighing, he thought of how much easier it would be for him not to like her if she wasn’t so perfect. Why did this have to happen ? He wasn’t the type to fall for a girl the way he had. Never would he fall for someone he couldn’t have. Mainly because this WAS the first girl he couldn’t... Ah, it was killing him !
He grabbed the remote and turned on the T.V when Eli walked back in.
« Stay there ! Oh god, I love this movie » I yelled leaping over to him.
Nick rose to his elbows « Which one is it ? »
« Now & Then »
« I’ve seen this. It’s with Christina Ricci, right? »
Bringing him his soup, I nodded.
« Thanks » Nick said blowing in his soup as I covered him with a warm blanket.
Filling a bowl of popcorn, I lay on the floor below him and began to munch away. Jason had always hated this movie, but for some reason Nick seemed to be taking a liking to it.
« This is priceless » I said with a mouth full of popcorn « Tinnie’s pudding-balloon-boobs »
Nick coughed « Is that really what girls talk about ? »
« Sometimes »
Nick frowned and I threw a curnel at him playfully «Shut up!»
**Same Time**
Kevin sighed as he dialed the all too familiar number with his thumb on his cell.
« Hello ? » Sarah’s sweet voice answered.
« Hey Shine » he said calling her by the nickname they had given each other.
« Hi Kevin, how are you ? »
Kevin let out a breath of relief. She was willing to talk !
« I’m doing good, how about you... »
And for the first time in weeks, the two carried on a conversation for more than five minutes.
**Meanwhile**
« A.J ? !... A.J.... ALEX ! ! ! ! » Amanda shrieked trying to remove him from her neck.
« I’m not in the mood »
A.J scouted over and sighed « Aight »
Rolling her eyes, she stood up « I’m going to the bathroom »
« I was just about to take a shower » he said bolting up after her.
« Fine, then I’ll go after you » she said sitting back down.
He wasn’t about to let her get away with it so easily this time « Are you trying to tell me that you won’t piss till I get out of the shower ? You’ve got some bladder control, woman! »
She crossed her arms angrily.
« Amanda ?... » he sang childishly with a puppy dog face « Come on. Just go. Heck, you can join me... »
« Is that all you think about Alexander James ? » she said arrogantly.
Ignoring her, he went to the bathroom « Sure beats pissing 24/7 » he grumbled slamming the door.
He took a quick shower, but before he got out of the washroom, he broke off the lock to the door. This time he’d find out.
**Same Time**
Wiping the tears from my eyes, I watched the final scene of the movie when all the old friends are playing red rover. I had friends like that once.
« That always gets to me » I said brushing myself off.
To my surprise, Nick was already fast asleep. He looked like an innocent child. And in a sense, he was.
Brushing the hair away from his face, I felt his forehead. It felt much cooler than before... I smiled and wrapped him gingerly in the blanket.
Grabbing my bag, I left hoping that Brian would still be up.
**A Little Later**
« What the fuck ? » Amanda blurted on the bathroom floor desperately fiddling with the door handle « Why won’t it lock ? »
She’d just snorted something. What, she could already not remember. But it was all she had left.
She’d always lock herself up after she took anything after A.J would fall asleep so that he wouldn’t catch her. Fortunately, she hadn’t taken that much so she knew she wouldn’t pass out. But it was still plenty to disorient her.
« This isn’t happening »
She somehow managed to stand up and wobbly make herself to the toilet. Sitting down, she tried to hold her head straight to keep the room from spinning. It was pointless. Now shaking, she began to panic. She just couldn’t let him find her this way.
After a few minutes of concentration, she thought the best idea would be to crawl into bed. That way, she could just fall asleep.
Feebly, she made her way to the room and sat on the bed. She was safe...
Wrong.
At that moment, the lights went on.
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